Top diplomat strengthens Turkey's role in Afghanistan
Turkey's foreign ministry released a statement emphasising that Aramaz was appointed upon Turkey's proposal, and that this appointment reflects Turkey's leading role in NATO's activities.
"In this regard, Turkey will assume the Framework Nation role for Kabul in the Resolute Support Mission, to train, advise, and assist Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF). Turkey will also undertake responsibility for the Kabul International Airport," the statement said.
Aramaz will become the second Turkish SCR in Afghanistan after former Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, who served in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2006.
In an interview with SES Türkiye, Cetin said the appointment of Aramaz, a highly experienced diplomat in his field, is a timely decision both for NATO's new mission and the stability of the region.
"A new page is turning in Afghanistan with the inauguration of the new mission when the foreign soldiers will be withdrawn to hand over control to the new Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani. Mr. Aramaz, along with the international community's assistance, will contribute a lot for the success of the implementation process of this new period," Cetin said.
According to Cetin, the appointment of a Turkish diplomat to this key post also means that NATO wants to show soft power in the new period, both in military and civilian terms, by using the deep-seated cordial ties between Turkey and Afghanistan.
"Although the issue of opium poppy cultivation does not fall into the area of NATO, the international community should also consider this problem in the new period and try to find out economic solutions to give them livelihood means rather than burning out the fields in order to prevent the cultivators from falling into the hands of Taliban fighters and international drug cartels," Cetin also noted.
NATO currently has about 50,000 troops in Afghanistan with the largest contribution coming from the United States. Nursin Guney, head of the political science and international relations department at Yildiz Technical University, said the appointment of a Turkish diplomat for the second time is proof of Turkey's outstanding achievements in Afghanistan.
"Turkey, during the ISAF era in Afghanistan, took over the lead of ISAF twice and completed the mission with great success. Besides, during the difficult times of NATO's presence in Afghanistan the Alliance with Hikmet Cetin has managed to construct the bridge between the Afghan people and the Alliance," Guney told
SES Türkiye.
According to Guney, the advantage of knowing the Afghan people and their culture enable Turkish diplomats to access Afghan society much easier, and give them the advantage over their Euro-Atlantic colleagues in NATO.
"The presence of Turkish diplomats and their experiences in Afghanistan within NATO is helping with the anti-NATO perception that is widespread among the public," she added.
Guney also underlined that during this new transitional period when the responsibility of security of the whole country is transitioning to Afghan security forces, the most important challenge for NATO will be attaining the Afghan people's trust.
Salih Dogan, a research fellow at the Turkey Institute, a London-based think tank, said the new decade between 2015 and 2024 would be mainly focused on security and the economy, which should also determine the SCR's agenda.
"In terms of economy, Aramaz will most likely work on issues like organising foreign assistance, monitoring the international community's pledges for providing humanitarian help and co-ordinating the channelling of investments in the country in a bid to create positive change in the daily lives of Afghan people without giving rise to any corruption," Dogan told
SES Türkiye.
Dogan added that the new period -- with the withdrawal of foreign troops and further authority of local forces over the territory -- should be strictly co-ordinated and monitored in order to overcome in advance the risk that Taliban fighters might re-emerge.
"At that point, NATO should have a determined role going beyond the military training, consultancy and auxiliary force, and there should be preliminary works to design a better and swifter communication network in order to be prepared for any contingencies regarding regional security and stability," he added.
See link for full article:
Top diplomat strengthens Turkey's role in Afghanistan | SES Türkiye
Big article/Report on Turkey's role in Afghanistan:
http://sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SAM_paper_ing_06_int.pdf